Foodservice Container Caddy

ABSTRACT

A Foodservice Container Caddy (“Caddy”) allows foodservice staff to handle foodservice containers without potentially hot, cold, wet, greasy, or otherwise contaminated surfaces of the foodservice containers coming into contact with dining-room surfaces and potentially damaging them or items of consumers that might interact with such surfaces. A sleeve, which can be made from multiple layers of various types of material, removably fits over a lower portion of a foodservice container, and handles enable foodservice staff to carry the Caddy and place it on dining-room or kitchen surfaces. Various embodiments of the Caddy can receive various types of foodservice containers and can be used to protect foodservice staff and dining-room surfaces from various types of contamination or hazards.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates in general to foodservice containers, and more particularly to transporting and placing foodservice containers.

BACKGROUND

In the foodservice industry, foodservice containers enable foodservice staff to transport foodstuffs, dishes, and other items to and from food serving areas.

One example of a foodservice container is a bus tub, which can be used to load and carry dirty dishes from a restaurant's dining room to the kitchen area. Another example of a foodservice container is a serving tray, which can include, but is not limited to, a steam table pan. Serving trays are typically used to transport foodstuffs from a food preparation area to a food serving area, such as a dining table, steam table, or the like.

However, conventional foodservice containers are not necessarily designed for optimum operational efficiency. For example, a food serving tray that bears fresh foodstuffs or has been in a steam table for a significant period of time may be hot or have substantial condensation on some or all of its surface. The outside of a bus tub may be contaminated with water, grease, or food particles during use. In addition, some foodservice containers may leak liquids. Use of foodservice containers in these or other conditions may increase a risk of an undesirable water, grease, or some other contaminant being left in a food serving area, such as on a table, chair, or the like, which may damage consumer assets, such as a diner's clothing. Thus, conventional foodservice containers are less than perfect.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present disclosure allow a device configured to facilitate handling of a foodservice container in a way that prevents a lower portion of the foodservice container from coming into contact with a dining-room surface.

In one aspect of the disclosure, a device includes a sleeve and two or more handles. The sleeve has an open top and includes a bottom, which covers at least a part of the lower portion of the bus tub, and one or more side portions, which extend less than the full height of the bus tub. The sleeve prevents the lower part of a bus tub placed in the sleeve from coming into contact with a dining-room surface. The handles facilitate carrying the bus tub, and can be coupled to a part of the sleeve so that, when the bus tub is inserted into the sleeve, the handles are on generally opposite sides of the bus tub. The bottom and the side portions can be coupled together, with an attachment cover protecting the point of attachment. The sleeve can be sized to facilitate removal of the lower part of the bus tub before placing the bus tub on a kitchen surface. The handles can be coupled to each other to form a handle assembly which can be made from a single length of material. Some or all the sleeve can be made of multiple layers, and part or all of the handle assembly can be located between an inner and outer layer. Layers can be made of different materials, with one or more layers being made to resist liquid absorption.

The device can include an insulated sleeve to prevent the lower part of a steam table pan placed in the insulated sleeve from coming into contact with a dining-room surface. The insulated sleeve can be sized to facilitate removal of the lower part of the steam table pan prior to placing the steam table pan on a kitchen surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of this disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foodservice container caddy according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an end view of a foodservice container caddy according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is an end view of a foodservice container caddy according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are described in such detail as to clearly communicate to one of ordinary skill how to make and use the claimed invention. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

A foodservice container caddy (hereinafter referred to as a “Caddy”) according to various embodiments can be used to transport and place foodservice containers without portions of the foodservice containers coming into contact with a surface. In addition, such a device can enable foodservice staff to handle foodservice containers without risk of personal exposure to hazardous surfaces. Note that although Caddies designed for bus tubs and steam table pans are used as the primary examples throughout, some embodiments of a Caddy can be used for handling various different foodservice containers.

As used herein, the terms “container” or “foodservice container” are used interchangeably unless otherwise specified. Foodservice containers include, but are not limited to, tubs, trays, pans, or the like used in the foodservice industry or foodservice establishments such as restaurants, dining halls, cafeterias and cafés. Bus tubs, steam table pans, and food serving trays are examples of foodservice containers. In some embodiments, the container can have a shape that includes an upper portion and a lower portion. For example, a container might have a bottom, one or more sides, and a lip structure, where the bottom and a lower portion of the sides make up the lower portion of the container, and the lip structure and an upper portion of the sides make up the upper portion of the container. In some embodiments, the lip structure of the container can be a circumferential “lip” that extends along the top of all sides of the container, handle structures integrated into the structure of the container, or the like.

In some embodiments, a Caddy allows foodservice staff to handle and utilize a container without portions of the container coming into contact with a surface. For example, a bus tub, which can be utilized by foodservice staff to clean a dining-room table and collect used diningware after consumers have departed, may accumulate water, grease, or some other liquids on its outer surfaces after the bus tub has been deposited on a kitchen surface to unload the used diningware to be cleaned. Placing the bus tub into a Caddy can help ensure that, when the bus tub is carried to and placed on a surface or dining-room surface, any liquids on the outer surface of the container do not touch or otherwise contaminate the dining-room surface, thereby preventing such liquids from damaging the dining-room surface or damaging clothing or other personal assets of customers. As used herein, the term “dining-room surface” includes, but is not limited to, a dining-room table, dining-room floor, dining-room upholstery, or the like.

In another example, a steam table pan, which can be utilized by foodservice staff to deliver cooked food to a steam table in a dining room, may, in addition to accumulating water on its outer surface from steam condensation, have surfaces that are too hot to be safely handled by foodservice staff without some form of thermal protection device, such as a thermal glove. Some embodiments of the Caddy can incorporate materials that have insulating properties to ensure that, when the steam table pan is carried to or from a steam table, any liquids that have accumulated on the outer surfaces of the steam table pan do not drip onto dining room surfaces, and that foodservice staff, dining-room surfaces, and the like are not damaged, injured, or otherwise harmed by the temperature of the steam table pan.

In some embodiments, the Caddy can include a sleeve (also referred to herein as a “receptacle”, “sheath”, and the like) and handles. In some embodiments, the sleeve can be made of multiple layers of materials, some of which are different from other layers. For example, in some embodiments, the sleeve can include an outer layer that comes into contact with dining-room surfaces. The sleeve can also include an inner layer that comes into contact with a container placed in the Caddy. In some embodiments, the inner layer can have insulating properties. Various layers of the sleeve can be made of materials such as fabric, vinyl, leather, plastic, metal, wood, or the like. One or more of the Sleeve layers may be waterproof, water-resistant, grease-proof, grease-resistant, proofed or resistant against absorbing or retaining other liquids.

In some embodiments, the handles can be irreversibly attached to the sleeve. For example, where the sleeve is formed or constructed from a single piece of material, the handles can be formed or constructed out of the same piece of material. In some other embodiments, the handles can be reversibly or irreversibly attached to the sleeve via one or more various attachment means including, but not limited to, snap-buttons, zippers, adhesives, stitching, stapling, or the like. In some embodiments, the handles can be holding straps, lengths of cord or rope, other pieces of material, or the like.

In some embodiments, the handles can be coupled to each other to form a handle assembly which may be formed or constructed from a single piece of material including, but not limited to, fabric, vinyl, leather, plastic, metal, wood, or the like. In some embodiments, some or all of the handle assembly or handles can extend on one or more sides of some or all portions that make up the sleeve.

A handle assembly can extend along the outer layers of the sleeve, or between two or more layers of some or all portions that make up the sleeve. In some embodiments, part of the handle assembly extends along the inner layers of the side portions of the sleeve, while part of the handle assembly extends between the inner layer and outer layer of the bottom portion. The portion of the handle assembly which extends between two or more layers of a portion of the sleeve can be attached to one or more of the layers. In some embodiments, a part of the handle assembly that extends between the inner layer and outer layer of the bottom portion of a sleeve can be attached to the inner layer via stitching. In other embodiments, parts of the handle assembly are attached to both inner and outer layers via one or more forms of attachment including, but not limited to, stitching, stapling, adhesives, soldering, welding, or the like.

In some embodiments, the various portions of the Caddy can be attached to each other using various forms of attachment. For example, in some embodiments where the Caddy includes two side portions and one bottom portion, the side portions can be attached to each other via stitching that extends through some or all layers of material that make of the side portions, and the side portions may be attached to the bottom portion via an adhesive. In some other embodiments, other forms of attachment or combinations thereof may be utilized, including, but not limited to, stapling, soldering, welding, or the like.

In some embodiments, an additional piece of material covers the edge along which an attachment between two or more portions of the sleeve extends. For example, an attachment cover can extend along the edge between the side portions and the bottom portion, with stitching extending between one or more points on the attachment cover and through some or all of the layers that make up the side portions, bottom portion, or both. The attachment cover may be coupled to the portions by a different form of attachment. In some embodiments, the side portions are attached to the bottom portion via stitching, while the attachment cover can be attached to both portions via one or more of adhesives, stapling, another set of stitching, soldering, welding, or the like.

In some embodiments, the sleeve of the Caddy can be sized to fit over the lower portion of a foodservice container in such a manner that the fit is snug, yet still enables the foodservice container to be removed from the Caddy with minimal effort. For example, in some embodiments the sleeve of the Caddy may be sized to fit snugly and removably over the lower portion of a bus tub, where the sleeve must ensure that the outer surfaces of the bus tub do not contaminate or otherwise damage or room surfaces, foodservice staff, consumers, or the like, yet also enable the bus tub to be quickly removed from the sleeve to unload dirty dishes or the like. In some other embodiments, the sleeve of the Caddy can be sized to fit loosely over the lower portion of a foodservice container such that the foodservice container can be removed from the Caddy as quickly as possible. For example, in some embodiments the sleeve of the Caddy may be sized to fit loosely over the lower portion of a serving tray, where the serving tray must be removed from the sleeve often. In other embodiments, the sleeve of the Caddy can be sized to fit tightly over the lower portion of a foodservice container such that the Caddy forms a tight seal around the lower portion of the foodservice container. For example, an insulated sleeve of the Caddy can be sized to fit tightly over the lower portion of a serving tray, where quick removal of the foodservice container from the Caddy is a lower priority.

Referring first to FIG. 1, embodiments of a Foodservice Container Caddy (“Caddy”) 102 are illustrated and discussed. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view 100 of Caddy 102, which is adapted to receive part of container 103, which has a lower portion 105 and an upper portion 107. Caddy 102 can include a sleeve, made up of a bottom portion 104 and one or more side portions 106, and two or more handles 108. In some embodiments, the sleeve of Caddy 102 can have one or more of various types of shapes including, but not limited to, generally rectangular, circular, elliptic, hexagonal, some other polygonal shape, or the like. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the sleeve of Caddy 102 has a generally rectangular shape.

In some embodiments, bottom portion 104 and side portions 106 can include one or more layers of material. In the illustrated embodiment, side portions 106 include an inner layer 120 and an outer layer 116. One or more layers can have certain properties including, but not limited to, waterproofing or water-resistance, liquidproofing or liquid-resistance, water-absorbance, impermeability to some or all elements or compounds, heat resistance, stain resistance, insulating properties, opacity, transparency, varying levels of translucence, or the like.

In some embodiments, the layers that make up a bottom portion 104 or side portion 106 are attached to each other. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the inner layer 120 and outer layer 116 that make up side portion 106 are attached to each other via stitching 114 that extends through both layers. In some embodiments, the layers can fold at or near the point of attachment. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, inner layer 120 and outer layer 116 of side portions 106 can be folded inwards upon themselves near the point of attachment such that stitching 114 can pass through each layer more than once. The point of attachment between two layers can vary in some embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the area of attachment between inner layer 120 and outer layer 116 on the side portions 106 is near the top edge of the side portion. Other forms of attachment to attach layers that make up a bottom portion 104 or side portion 106, such as adhesives, stapling, soldering, welding, or the like, which may or may not extend partially or fully through one or more layers, exist between two or more layers, or attach one or more layers in another manner are contemplated and should be considered to be encompassed by the scope of this disclosure.

In some embodiments, Caddy 102 is adapted to receive a container 103. Container 103 can be a bus tub, a steam table pan, some other foodservice container, or the like. In some embodiments, Caddy 102 is configured to receive only a lower portion 105 of container 103, leaving an upper portion 107 of container 103 to extend above the side portions 106 of Caddy 102. For example, in some embodiments, the side portions 106 may extend only four inches above the bottom portion 104, such that the Caddy 102 is adapted to receive a container 103 which features a combined height of the lower portion 105 and upper portion 107 that exceeds four inches. In some other embodiments, container 103 may feature a circumferential lip that extends substantially around part or all of the upper portion 107 of container 103, and Caddy 102 can be configured to receive only the lower portion 105 of container 103 so that the circumferential lip remains above the side portions 106 of Caddy 102. In some embodiments, Caddy 102 may be sized to fit over the lower portion 105 in such a manner that ensures a snug fit between Caddy 102 and container 103 yet enables container 103 to be quickly removed from the sleeve of Caddy 102. In some other embodiments, Caddy 102 may be sized to fit more tightly or loosely over the lower portion 105 of container 103.

Where more than one side portion 106 make up the sides of Caddy 102, side portions 106 can be attached to each other via one or more forms of attachment. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, two side portions 106 are attached to each other via stitching 118 that can extend through one or more layers of one or both side portions 106. Other forms of attachment to attach side portions 106, such as adhesives, stapling, soldering, welding, or the like, which may or may not extend partially or fully through one or more side portions 106, exist between two or more side portions 106, or attach one or more side portions 106 in another manner are possible and should be considered to be encompassed by the scope of this disclosure.

Handles 108 can be formed or constructed of a single length of fabric that is looped back upon and attached to itself, via stitching, adhesive, stapling, or some other method, to form a single handle assembly that extends adjacent to at least one layer that makes up bottom portion 104 and side portion 106. In some other embodiments, handles 108 can be formed or constructed of a single piece of material formed or constructed from a mold, cast, or the like. In some embodiments, a handle assembly can be formed or constructed from one or more pieces of material. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a handle assembly is formed or constructed from two handles 108 and two straps (not shown) which are stitched together. The straps in the illustrated embodiment extend below bottom portion 104 and are attached to the inner layer 120 of bottom portion 104 via stitching 110, which can extend partially or fully through one or more layers of bottom portion 104 and partially or fully through the strap itself

Where one or more of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 are formed or constructed of more than one piece of material, some or all of the handle assembly can extend between layers that make up one or more side portion 106 and bottom portion 104. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, bottom portion 104 is made up of an inner layer 120 (shown) and an outer layer (not shown), and the straps that are attached to handles 108 to make up a handle assembly, which are not shown but are denoted by stitching 110, extend between the inner layer 120 and the outer layer (not shown) that make up bottom portion 104.

In some embodiments, one or more of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 can include one or more layers that have insulating properties, including but not limited to some type of thermal insulation. For example and not by way of limitation, in some embodiments where side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 include an inner layer 120 and an outer layer 116 (not shown for bottom portion 104) that are attached to each other to make the sleeve of Caddy 102, one or more layers of insulating material can be located between the inner layer 120 and the outer layer 116.

In some embodiments where Caddy 102 is used to receive a container 103 that has hot or cold outer surfaces, one or more layers of insulating material located in side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 can protect foodservice staff and other objects, surfaces, and the like from being burned, injured, damaged, or otherwise affected by the hot surfaces of container 103. For example, in some embodiments where container 103 is a steam table pan, the surfaces of which may be hot, insulation layers in one or more of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 can help protect the foodservice staff handling Caddy 102 and others from being affected by the hot surfaces of container 103. Other types of insulation layers can make up one or more portions of Caddy 102. For example, an inner layer 120, an outer layer 116, or both, making up one or more of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 may have insulating properties.

In some embodiments, side portions 106 are attached to bottom portion 104 to form a sleeve. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, side portions 106 are attached to bottom portion 104 via stitching 122 that extends one or more layers of one or both of the side portions 106 and bottom portion 104. Other forms of attachment used to attach side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 are possible and should be considered to be encompassed by the scope of this disclosure. Such forms of attachment can include, but are not limited to, adhesives, stapling, soldering, welding, or the like and can extend partially or fully through one or more layers of the sleeve, lie between two or more of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104, or attach one or more of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 in some other manner.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, an attachment cover 112 can cover the point of attachment between one or more of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, attachment cover 112 covers the point of attachment between side portions 106 and bottom portion 104, with stitching 122 extending from one side of attachment cover 112, through one or more layers of one or more of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104, and, in some embodiments, to another side of attachment cover 112 (not shown). In some embodiments, an attachment cover 112 can protect the point of attachment between one or more portion from deteriorating due to friction, frequent impacts, thermal stresses, or the like. In some embodiments, an attachment cover 112 can be integrated into the attachment of side portions 106 to each other.

Where some or all of the inner layer 120 of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 is waterproof, water-resistant, grease-proof, grease-resistant, liquid-proof, liquid-resistant, or the like, Caddy 102 may be adapted to catch and trap liquids leaked from or on the outside of container 103. For example, in embodiments where container 103 is a steam table pan, which may have steam condensate on its outer surfaces, the condensate could drain into the sleeve formed or constructed by side portions 106 and bottom portion 104, thereby preventing such condensate from dripping onto other surfaces, including but not limited to dining room tables, floors, and upholstery. In some other embodiments, container 103 is a bus tub, which may have water, grease, or some other liquid on its outer surfaces. In such an embodiment, the liquid could drain into the sleeve formed or constructed by side portions 106 and bottom portion 104, thereby preventing such liquid from dripping onto other surfaces, including but not limited to dining-room surfaces. In some such embodiments, Caddy 102 can be provided with an absorbent inner layer (not illustrated) that may or may not be removable.

Referring to FIG. 2, embodiments of a Foodservice Container Caddy (“Caddy”) are illustrated and discussed. FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional width view 200 of the embodiment of Caddy 102 illustrated in FIG. 1 from near the midsection of Caddy 102. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of Caddy 102 where side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 that make up the sleeve of Caddy 102 are each made up of inner layer 120, outer layer 116, and an internal layer 204, which in some embodiments has insulating properties. In some embodiments, the inner layer 120 on the bottom portion 104 may be different from, or be made of a different material than the inner layer 120 on one or more of the side portions 106, and the outer layer 120 on the bottom portion 104 may be different from, or be made of a different material than the outer layer 120 on one or more of the side portions 106.

In some embodiments, some parts of the handle assembly illustrated and discussed in FIG. 1 can extend between layers that make up one or more of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment where the handle assembly illustrated and discussed in FIG. 1 includes handles 108 (not illustrated) and two straps 202, the straps 202 can extend through bottom portion 104 between the inner layer 120 of bottom portion 104 and the outer layer 116 of bottom portion 104. The straps 202 can, in some embodiments, be attached to one or more layers by stitching, stapling, adhesives, welding, soldering, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, straps 202 are attached to the inner layer 120 of bottom portion 104 by stitching 110 that can extend partially or fully through straps 202, but not the outer layer 116. In some other embodiments, stitching 110, or some other form of attachment, can be used to attach straps 202 to both the inner layer 120 and the outer layer 116. In some other embodiments, straps 202 can extend between two other different layers that make up one or more of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104.

In some embodiments, as discussed above in FIG. 1, bottom portion 104 and side portions 106 can be attached via stitching 122 that extends through one or more layers of one or more of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, bottom portion 104 and side portions 106 are attached via stitching 122 that extends through both the inner layer 120 and outer layer 116 of both a side portion 106 and the bottom portion 104. In some embodiments, the stitching can also extend between one or more sides of attachment cover 112. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, stitching 122 extends through two sides of attachment cover 112. In some embodiments, the attachment cover 112 may not be present. In some other embodiments, other forms of attachment might be used to attach side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 including, but not limited to, stitching extending through one or more layers of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104, stapling, adhesive between portions, and the like Inner layer 120 and outer layer 116 of side portions 106 can be attached via stitching 114, as illustrated, by adhesive, by stapling, or by some other form of attachment.

In some embodiments, internal layers 204 do not extend through an entire side portion 106 or bottom portion 104. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, internal layers 204 do not extend throughout the entire interior of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 between inner layer 120 and outer layer 116, as some of the interior of bottom portion 104 is occupied by strap 202 and adjustment space for stitching 122, 114, and 110. Some or all internal layers 204 of one or more of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 can extend throughout the interior of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104, such that the internal layer 204 is stitched, stapled, or attached in some other manner to one or more of the inner layer 120 or outer layer 116, or both, that make up side portions 106 and bottom portion 104.

In some embodiments, a sleeve made up of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104 may be formed or constructed of a single piece of material, including, but not limited to, a single cut piece of fabric, a piece of material formed or constructed from a mold or cast, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 3, embodiments of a Foodservice Container Caddy (“Caddy”) 102 are illustrated and discussed. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional side view 300 of Caddy 102 in an embodiment where handle assembly 302 includes handles 108 and one strap 202. In some other embodiments, additional straps 202 may be present and be attached, via stitching, stapling, adhesives, or some other form of attachment, to two or more handles 108. Some embodiments of Caddy 102 may feature portions of strap 202 extending between inner layer 120 and outer layer 116, or some other combination of one of the above layers and an internal layer (not shown) of some or all of one or more of side portions 106 and bottom portion 104. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, strap 202 extends between inner layer 120 and outer layer 116 of bottom portion 104, but strap 202 extends adjacent to the inner layer 120 of side portions 106. In some other embodiments, strap 202 can extend adjacent to the outer layer 116 of side portions 106.

It will be understood that the Foodservice Container Caddy can include other components, elements, or interfaces without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, although particular embodiments have been discussed above, the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but includes subject matter encompassed by the scope of the appended claims.

It will be understood that, although certain embodiments employing particular materials and forms of attachment are illustrated, other materials and forms of attachment can be used without departing from the present scope of the disclosure. For example, adhesives between materials can be used as a form of attachment. In addition, various arrangements of particular components can be employed to accomplish the same functions disclosed herein, also without departing from the present scope of the disclosure. 

1. A device comprising: a sleeve formed to receive a bus tub, the sleeve including: an open top to receive a lower portion of the bus tub, a bottom to prevent the lower portion of the bus tub from coming into contact with a dining-room surface when the sleeve has received the lower portion of the bus tub, and a side portion formed to cover at least part of the lower portion of the bus tub and to extend less than a full height of the bus tub; and at least two handles, each handle coupled to at least one of the bottom and the side portion such that, when the bus tub is inserted into the sleeve, the at least two handles lie on generally opposing sides of the bus tub to facilitate carrying of the bus tub.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein: the bottom and the side portion are coupled at an attachment point; and an attachment cover protects the attachment point from deterioration.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least two handles are coupled to each other to form a handle assembly.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the handle assembly is constructed from a single length of material.
 5. The device of claim 3, wherein: at least a portion of the sleeve comprises a plurality of layers; and at least part of the handle assembly extends between an inner layer and an outer layer of at least one of the at least one side portion and the bottom portion.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein: at least a portion of the sleeve comprises a plurality of layers; and at least one of the plurality of layers is resistant to absorption of at least one type of liquid.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are formed of different materials.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is sized to facilitate removal of the lower portion of the bus tub prior to placing the bus tub on a kitchen surface.
 9. A device comprising: an insulated sleeve formed to receive a lower portion of a steam table pan, the insulated sleeve including: an open top to receive the steam table pan, a bottom to prevent a lower portion of the steam table pan from coming into contact with a dining-room surface when the insulated sleeve has received the lower portion of the steam table pan, and a side portion formed to cover the lower portion of the steam table pan; and at least two handles, each handle coupled to at least one of the bottom and the side portion such that, when the steam table pan is inserted into the insulated sleeve, the at least two handles lie on generally opposing sides of the steam table pan to facilitate carrying of the steam table pan.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein: the bottom and the side portion are coupled at an attachment point; and an attachment cover protects the attachment point from deterioration.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein the at least two handles are coupled to each other to form a handle assembly.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the handle assembly is formed from a single piece of material.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein: at least a portion of the insulated sleeve comprises a plurality of layers; and at least part of the handle assembly extends between an inner layer and an outer layer of at least one of the at least one side portion and the bottom portion.
 14. The device of claim 9, wherein: at least a portion of the insulated sleeve comprises a plurality of layers; and at least one of the plurality of layers is resistant to absorption of at least one type of liquid.
 15. The device of claim 14, at least one of the plurality of layers constructed from an insulating material.
 16. A device comprising: a receptacle formed to receive a foodservice container, the receptacle including: an open top to receive the foodservice container, a bottom to prevent the foodservice container from being coming into contact with a dining-room surface when placed within the receptacle, and a side portion extending less than a full height of the foodservice container; opposing handles coupled the receptacle, such that when the receptacle receives the foodservice container, the opposing handles lie on generally opposing sides of the foodservice container; and wherein the receptacle is adapted to facilitate removal of the foodservice container from the receptacle prior to placing the foodservice container on a kitchen surface.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein the opposing handles are constructed from a strap extending along the bottom of the receptacle.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein: at least a portion of the receptacle comprises a plurality of layers; and at least part of the opposing handles extend between an inner layer and an outer layer.
 19. The device of claim 18, at least one of the plurality of layers constructed from a material providing temperature insulation.
 20. The device of claim 18, at least one of the plurality of layers is resistant to absorption of at least one type of liquid. 